All through the offseason, the Kansas Metropolis Royals seemed to enhance their outfield. Regardless of overtures to Anthony Santander, Jurickson Profar and Adam Duvall, the crew couldn’t safe any important assist in the outfield.
The one main addition they did make—second baseman Jonathan India—has needed to be taught the outfield on the fly because the Royals have already got Michael Massey at second, and so they want India’s on-base skillset on the prime of the order.
Within the early going towards right-handed pitchers, the Royals are working India out in left discipline, Kyle Isbel in middle and Hunter Renfroe in proper discipline. Towards lefties, Maikel Garcia performs middle, and MJ Melendez begins in proper. Melendez has turn into the fourth outfield at this level.
In a small pattern measurement, Isbel has slashed a paltry .167/.167/.250, whereas Renfroe’s is .143/.294/.214. Melendez has been even worse—.077/.200/.077. India has been significantly better, however he’s splitting his time between third and left discipline.
At this level within the season, no impactful outfielders can be found. It is uncertain that can change till mid-June on the earliest. The one hope is that perhaps a few the franchise’s prime prospects will get off to scorching begins within the minors and pressure their option to the big-league membership.
Gavin Cross is the group’s sixth-ranked prospect however hasn’t performed above AA. He had a superb spring this 12 months, slashing .375/.500/.625, however he must show himself at AAA earlier than he’ll get a call-up.
Extra intriguing is the Royals’ prime farmhand, Jac Caglianone, who put up eye-popping numbers throughout spring coaching. His slash line seemed like one thing from a online game set on the simplest stage – .500/.609/1.167 in 23 plate appearances. Regardless of these unbelievable numbers, the Royals despatched him down as a result of he solely has 29 minor league video games below his belt. He wants to provide at a few completely different minor-league ranges earlier than he may be thought-about. The crew would additionally wish to see if he can play proper discipline.
Sadly, anticipating Caglianone or Cross to be prepared earlier than mid-June is wishful considering. It appears to be like just like the Royals should muddle by way of with their present roster and hope they do not fall out of the race in a weak AL Central.
The entrance workplace was unwilling to extend the funds sufficient to signal any obtainable free-agent outfielders. The issue is that Isbel, Melendez and Renfroe are what they’re offensively. Whereas they in all probability will not proceed to be as unhealthy as they have been thus far this season, none are seemingly to assist a lot. No less than Isbel is nice defensively, however the different two aren’t and India and Garcia are nonetheless studying the right way to play the outfield.
The Royals are caught with who they’ve, no less than for now. They’ve to attend for Cross and/or Caglianone to thrive within the minors sufficient to be introduced up or hope a number of groups fall to the wayside early and are keen to half with an outfielder.
Sadly, there doesn’t seem like any impactful assist coming quickly. The Royals should attempt to survive till choices turn into obtainable.
